Top Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and Biosafety in Africa ...africenter.isaaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FINAL-WEB-top-ten-facts-2016-6-1.pdfTop Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and

Top Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and Biosafety in Africa by 2015

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Commercialization of Biotech Crops (1996-2015)

Biotech/GM Crops

@ 20


1

FACT 1 2015 was the 20th year of successful commercialization of biotech crops globally while in Africa it was the 18th.

1. The first biotech crop to be commercialized was insect resistant (Bt) cotton in South Africa in 1998. Insect resistant (Bt) maize followed in 2000, while herbicide tolerant soybean and maize were commercialized in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

2. Burkina Faso, South Africa and Sudan are the three African countries among the 28 countries globally that grew biotech crops in 2015.

3. Three biotech crops: cotton, maize and soybean had been commercialized by 2015.


2

FACT 2 Three countries, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Sudan maintained the momentum in commercialization of biotech crops in 2015. The countries grew biotech cotton, maize and soybean.

1. The accumulated biotech crops’ hectarage between 1998 and 2015 stood at 3.5 million hectares.

2. South Africa grew 2.3 million hectares of biotech crops, Burkina Faso grew 350,000 hectares and Sudan 120,000 hectares.

3. The estimated economic benefit from growing biotech crops in Africa between 1998 and 2014 was approximately $ 2 billion.


3

For the first time in 2015, a drought tolerant trait in maize under WEMA – Water Efficient Maize for Africa project was approved in South Africa. Maize is the most widely grown staple crop in Africa – more than 300 million people depend on it as their main food source – it is severely affected by frequent drought.

1. Drought continues to devastate Africa, demonstrating her vulnerability to climate change impacts. The 2015 drought in South Africa for instance turned the country from a net exporter to a net importer of grain.

2. The overall effect of the 2015 devastating drought in South Africa was a decrease in biotech crops’ hectarage from an intended record of 3.0 million hectares to 2.3 million hectares.

3. Five WEMA project countries: Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda are either conducting and/or preparing to start trials on drought tolerant biotech maize to address the challenge of recurrent drought.

FACT 3


4

The commercialized biotech traits in Africa by 2015 were insect resistance (Bt cotton and Bt maize), herbicide tolerance (HT maize and soybean) and stacked traits i.e. Bt/HT cotton and maize, and a combination of various Bt events.

1. In 2015, insect resistant (Bt) cotton planting in Sudan increased to 120,000 hectares from the 90,000 planted in 2014. Burkina Faso’s Bt cotton planting dropped by 23.8 % owing to a concern raised over the short staple cotton varieties planted. Bt maize was planted on 550,000 hectares in South Africa.

2. Herbicide tolerant (HT) soybean was planted on 508,000 hectares in South Africa - a 95% adoption rate. HT maize was planted on 284,000 hectares.

3. The stacked trait Bt/HT in cotton was adopted at a 100% in South Africa. The country planted a total of 940,000 hectares of stacked Bt/HT crops.

FACT 4


5

Adoption of biotech crops in Africa has delivered substantial agronomic, environmental, economic, health and social benefits for farmers and, increasingly, to society at large.

1. Adoption of biotech crops in Africa has contributed to providing a better environment globally, where in 2014 alone, 584 million kg active ingredients of pesticides were saved. Carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 27 billion kg, equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road for one year. Further, 152 million hectares of land was saved thus conserving biodiversity.

2. Africa contributed to the 22% increase in crop yields globally and gains in global farmer profits by 68% through adoption of biotech crops.

3. African farmers are among 16.5 million small holder farmers who benefited from biotech crops. Adoption of these crops alleviated close to 65 million people from poverty globally.

FACT 5


6

Africa could contribute 5 new biotech crops to the global food security basket in the coming years.

1. African scientists are conducting trials on key food security crops, which include banana, cassava, cowpea, sweet potato, maize, potato and rice, some of which are nearing commercialization.

2. In addition to the three countries that have commercialized biotech crops, 8 other countries: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt and Swaziland are conducting trials on crops with traits of relevance to African agricultural challenges.

3. Drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, nutritional enhancement, nitrogen and water use efficiency, and, salt tolerance are some of the biotech crop traits for which 11 African countries are conducting trials on.

FACT 6


7

2015 recorded positive change in the biosafety regulatory landscape in all four sub-regions of the continent.

1. Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, enacted its Biosafety Law in readiness for tapping into the technology’s benefits. Togo, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire are working towards reviewing their Biosafety Laws to make them functional.

2. Egypt completed drafting its Biosafety Bill. Once enacted, it will help researchers move products such as rust resistant wheat into commercialization.

3. Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania have revised their Biosafety Laws to allow research on biotech crops, while Zambia launched her National Biosafety Authority.

FACT 7


8

2015 recorded significant progress with regulatory approvals.

1. For the first time, Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority received two applications for environmental release (open cultivation) of insect resistant (Bt) maize and cotton.

2. South Africa’s Executive Council of the GMO Act approved drought tolerant trait in maize (DroughtGard® ) under WEMA project.

3. The National Biosafety Council of Sudan approved the release of three additional Bt cotton varieties for commercial planting.

FACT 8


9

In 2015, African policy makers, farmers and scientists endorsed genetic modification (or modern biotechnology) as an important tool for use in agriculture.

1. During the 2015 World Food Day celebrations, Ugandan President H. E Yoweri Museveni expressed his confidence in agri-biotech’s ability to improve quality of crops in Uganda. He urged Members of Parliament to pass the Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill 2012 into law.

2. Egyptian farmers pledged support for biotech rust resistant wheat. They expressed satisfaction with the crop’s high degree of tolerance to fungal infection.

3. Doctors in Kenya re-affirmed the safety of biotech crops. The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) said it was satisfied with the safety record of biotech crops that have already gone through the regulatory process. KMA noted that the technology has been used to produce medicines and improve agricultural crops, with a long history of safety.

FACT 9


10

Efforts in regional harmonization of biosafety policies in Africa realized remarkable progress in 2015.

1. COMESA member states validated the biotechnology and biosafety policy implementation plan - COMBIP. This came a year after the approval and adoption of the COMESA policy on commercial planting, trade and access to emergency food assistance involving GMOs. The overall goal of the plan is to support member states become active participants in the global biotechnology enterprises.

2. West African Economic Monitory Union (WAEMU) ministers agreed on the need for a regional Biosafety law for the benefit of all member states. Three organizations WAEMU, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) are steering the process.

3. East African Community continued to develop a harmonized biotechnology and biosafety policy framework for the five East African member states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

FACT 10

2004 2004 - 2005 2005 - 2006 2006

20072008

20102009

2009 2009 2008

2010 2011-12

2001

RABESA Phase I

Policy studies on GMOs

National Workshops held (Kenya, Uganda,

Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt & Zambia)

Regional Workshop held (17 COMESA member states participated)

Creation of COMESA Biosafety

Panel of Experts

COMESA Ministerial meeting in Seychelles

(reviewed RABESA status

Drafting of regional Biosafety

policies and guidelines

COMESA regional workshop on Biosafety policies and guidelines

held in Nairobi

COMESA Ministerial meeting in Zambia (recommended national workshops in all

member states)

Creation of ACTESA by COMESA Heads

of State

COMESA Ministerial meeting in Swaziland (recommended a final regional workshop)

*18 National consultations*Regional workshop to

consolidate national inputs

COMESA Ministerial meeting in Khartoum

(endorsed areas of harmonization)

COMESA Ministerial meeting in Zimbabwe

(reviewed RABESA status)

2013/14

11


Status of Confined Field Trials by October 2015

Country Crop Trait Institutions involved Status

Burkina Faso Cowpea Insect resistance INERA, AATF, NGICA, CSIRO Multi-location trials in 3 sites

Cotton Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerant INERA CFT - 2nd season

Ghana Cotton Insect resistance/Herbicide tolerant Savannah Agricultural Research

Institute

Multi-location trials in 2 sites

Rice Nitrogen Use Efficiency/Water Use

Efficiency and Salt Tolerance

Crops Research Institute

2st CFT ending in No, application for extension and

relocation of sites to a more drier area (uplands)

Cowpea Insect resistance AATF, Savannah Agricultural Research

Institute.

2st CFT in Northern region ending in Nov 2015;

application for multilocation submitted, assessing two

places - Upper East and Northern regions

Egypt

Wheat

Drought tolerant/salt tolerant AGERI CFT approved by NBC in 2010; extended in 2014

ongoing

Fungal resistance AGERI 3rd season CFT approved by NBC in 2010; extended

in 2014 - ongoing

Maize Insect resistance AGERI CFT approved

Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids

1 Chinese Bt cotton variety SCRC37

Biotechnology and Biosafety Research

Center

China-aid Agricultural Technology

Demonstration Center ,Elfaw

Multi-location trials completed for 3 additional Bt

varieties; Approved for commercial planting

Nigeria

Cassava Biofortified with increased level of beta-

carotene, provitamin A

National Root Crops Research Institute CFT 2end season completed

Cassava Bio-fortified cassava enhanced with

Iron,(concluded)

National Root Crops Research Institute Trials completed

Cowpea Insect resistant against Maruca pest AATF, Institute of Agricultural Research Back crossed, 2nd season Multi-locational trials in 3

sites, still on going

Sorghum

Biofortification Africa Harvest, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a

company of DuPont business, IAR and

NABDA

4th CFT and back crossing with preferred Nigerian

varieties, still on going

Rice Nitrogen use ,Water efficient and salt

tolerant (NUWEST) Rice at the

National Cereals Research Institute,

Badeggi

Permit granted to commence trial in 2014 but yet to

commence trial

Cassava Cassava resistant to

Africancassavamosaic virus (ACMV) and

Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV).

National Root Crops Research Institute

, Umudike

Permit granted, commenced trial in 2014 and still on

going

Maize Bt + Glyphosate HT Maize Monsanto, National Biotechnology

Development Agency, Abuja

Application being processed

Cameroon Cotton Insect resistance & Herbicide tolerant Bayer CFTs completed; Application for Environmental release

Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)

KALRO, AATF, CIMMYT CFT-6th Season completed

WEMA Insect resistance ( Bt maize-

MON 810)

KALRO, AATF, CIMMYT Review for Environmental release

Stack maize event for Bt (MON 810) and

Drought (MON 87460)

KALRO, AATF, CIMMYT 1st CFT approval granted. Yet to plant.

Cotton Insect resistance KALRO,Monsanto Review for Environmental release

Cassava Cassava mosaic disease KALRO, Danforth Plant Science

Center (DDPSC), IITA,

CFT–2ndseason completed.

Cassava Brown Streak Disease

Introgression into CMD tolerant

background materials

KALRO, Danforth Plant Science Center

(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –

Cassava Brown streak virus (CBSV) and

African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV)

Masinde Muliro University of Science

and Technology (MMUST)

CFT_-1st season ongoing

Sweet potato

siRNA resistance to Sweet potato virus

disease

KALRO-Kakamega, Danforth Plant

Science Center (DDPSC)

1st CFT on going

Sorghum

Enhanced pro-Vit. A levels, Bio-available

Zinc and Iron

Africa Harvest, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a

DuPont business and KALRO

CFT-.7th Season ongoing

Uganda

Maize Drought tolerance NARO, AATF, Monsanto, CIMMYT CFT - 6th trial terminated in May

Maize Insect resistance NARO, AATF, Monsanto, CIMMYT CFT- 4th trial planted in August

Banana Bacterial wilt resistance NARO, AATF, IITA CFT – 2nd trial of 10 lines selected lines will be

harvested in November

Nutrition enhancement (Fe and Pro-

vitamin A)

NARO, QUT (Queensland University of

Technology)

Banana parasitic nematode resistance NARO, University of Leeds CFT- 1st trial harvested in June

Cassava

Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV)

resistance

NARO, DDPSC, IITA CFT – 3rd trial terminated in July


resistance

NARO, DDPSC, IITA CFTs – 1st trial in 2nd site planted


Efficiency

NARO, AATF, Arcadia Biosciences

CFT - 2nd trial harvested in July, constructing a rain-out

shelter is on going

Potato Disease resistance NARO, CIP CFT-2nd trial planted in October

Malawi Cotton

Insect resistance LUANAR, DARS, Monsanto CFT – 3rd trial completed in September 2015

Application for general release under review

Cowpea Insect resistance LUANAR, DARS, AATF CFT- Approval granted in June 2015

CFT- 1st trial expected to be planted in December 2015

12







Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton










Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton





13







Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton










Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton





14


South Africa

Maize Drought tolerance Monsanto DroughtGard® approved for conditional general

release; Extensive testing under commercial

circumstances to commence

Male fertility/pollen infertility Pioneer Multi-location CFT at 3 sites/ 4th year

Insect resistance/herbicide tolerance

IR/HT

Dow AgroScience

Multi-location CFT planted at 4 sites

Insect resistance/herbicide tolerance

IR/HT

Pioneer

Multi-location CFT at 4 sites/New and with extension

permits: 1st, 3rd, 4th& 5th years

Cotton Insect resistance/ herbicide tolerance

IR/HT

Bayer CFT at one site repeat/5th year

Soybean Modified oils/fatty acids

HT

Pioneer CFT planted at 3 sites






Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton










Institute








Institute.




Egypt

Wheat


ongoing


in 2014 - ongoing


Sudan

4th year Bt

cotton

commercialized

Cotton

Insect resistance:

2 Indian Bt hybrids



Center





Nigeria





Iron,(concluded)




Sorghum



NABDA






Badeggi


commence trial





, Umudike


going





Kenya Maize

Drought Tolerance

(WEMA)



MON 810)



Drought (MON 87460)










(DDPSC), IITA,

1st CFT –






Sweet potato


disease



1st CFT on going

Sorghum


Zinc and Iron




Uganda






vitamin A)


Technology)


Cassava


resistance



resistance



Efficiency



shelter is on going


Malawi Cotton





“Bt cotton enterprise has been rewarding, enabling me to

purchase 2 tractors, a car and a house. I have also managed to pay for my younger sister’s education. Attending to our crops is so much easier and has drastically reduced

labour. We no longer need to carry crude tools to weed and

spray as most of this is now done mechanically.”

Ms. Maria SweleFarmer, South Africa

Karembu M., F.Nguthi and P.Chege (2016) Top Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and Biosafety in Africa by 2015. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA AfriCenter), Nairobi Kenya.

ISAAA AfriCenterILRI Campus, Old Naivasha Road,P.O.Box 70-00605,Uthiru, Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: +254 20 4223618, Fax: +254 20 4223634Email: [email protected]: www.africenter.isaaa.org

AATFILRI Campus, Old Naivasha Road,P.O.Box 30709-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: +254 20 422 3700,Fax: + 254 20 422 3701Email: [email protected]: www.aatf-africa.org

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Top Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and Biosafety in Africa ...africenter.isaaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FINAL-WEB-top-ten-facts-2016-6-1.pdfTop Ten Facts about Agri-biotech and